The Kestrel that has taken up residence on one of the beams above our balcony, which I mentioned in a previous post, we have called ‘Birdie’. Yes I know that’s not very original but what can you expect from a couple of old duffers?

We noticed that she was still there when we got up this morning and she eventually flew off at 7:45 AM. I can’t say I blame her for being reluctant to get out of bed as last night must have been the coldest night we’ve had this winter – well below zero.

We noticed her because we were looking at the sky just before sunrise and this is what we were looking at:

Which zero? Centigrade or Fahrenheit? At 6:45 PM on Jan. 13th, here in Central Wisconsin its -9 F, with about 2 feet of snow on the ground. And snowing of course. Projected high tomorrow: 5 F with a low of -11 F at night. I don’t remember it ever getting that cold when I was over there.

I don’t ever remember it going down as far a zero degrees Fahrenheit in my lifetime. There was what is called a ‘Mini Ice Age’ in Tudor times when the Thames froze over but it’s not been as cold as that since.

Tracey – where you bin? You seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth for a while.

With the many rainy days in England it can be gloomy, but when the sun does come out the scenery can be spectacular! I remember a rainy day driving someplace and the sun coming out as I passed an old estate with an oak lined lane (oaks were 2-300 years old), quite a sight.

The summer of ’69 was great, ’68 was forgettable (worn a jacket all summer).

Now back to my reality! Jan. 15 at 5:45 AM Temp. is -17 F or -27 C; schools are closed because of the wind chill factor. I think I should wear a jacket when I go out to shovel snow today?

Seriously though I’m not sure what would cause such brilliant colours. Often with a sunset it is, as you say, caused by dust but that sky from where we are would be off the east coast, over the sea, somewhere. Dust seems unlikely.

It is nice to know that England is warmer (makes early April look hopeful) it is 2F here or -17C. Here’s hoping the car will start this morning. 😕 There is a reason that I don’t do Maine in the winter. Keep those fires going Tracey!!

I always heard the saying mentioning sailors – we don’t have too many shepherds around here 😆 I learned it as a child at camp. I still pay attention to the sky and it is fairly accurate.